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Become a better writer: The critique partner
Writing is traditionally a lonely pursuit, but constructive feedback will make you a considerably stronger writer/author. Sure, that’s what an editor is for (you do use an editor, right?) but ideally you need feedback sooner than that, especially for longer articles or novels.
Most authors employ one or more beta readers, as I do. I put each book in front of a handful of readers, and because I like to craft stories that are approachable to readers outside my genre, at least a couple of my betas fall into that category. I listen to the feedback carefully, and prompt them with specific questions: which chapters were page turners, which dragged (I’ll be certain to improve them), were my reveals rewarding, characters deep and engaging, etc. I “train” my betas to give me the good and the bad, not simply tell me “it was good” to avoid hurting my feelings. Pay particular attention to the same remark from multiple readers.
Though I can, and have, rewritten entire scenes and arcs based upon beta comments, it’s best to get feedback even earlier.
Send in the critique partners
“Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.” — Stephen King